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Ethics (and Morals) Virtue & Character Ethics and Morals are different Morals are value judgments, beliefs, principles, and rules for ordinary life. Latin root: mores= norms. Morals are specific. Ethics steps back and considers the reasons and foundations for one’s beliefs or, let’s say, a country’s moral laws. Greek root: ethos=character. Ethics involves reasoning about morals. Ethics is the study of morals, not the other way around. Examples of morals Cary Nation and the Temperance Movement Moses and his _____________ Code of Hammurabi 195: If a son strike his father, his hands shall be [cut] off. (4) 196: If a [noble-]man put out the eye of another [noble-]man, his eye shall be put out. (5) 197: If he break another [noble-]man's bone, his bone shall be broken. 198: If he put out the eye or break the bone of a commoner, he shall pay one [silver] mina. Ethical foundations for moral behavior Ethical Theories Consequence Based Utilitarianism Religion Based Divine Command Theory Duty Based Deontology Agent Centered Virtue Ethics We will explore agent-centered virtue ethics! But wait, what is an agent? A: someone who makes decisions to shape their lives, reality, etc.; the capacity to do this is called, in philosophy, “agency” What is Virtue Ethics? • De-emphasizes – intentions – consequences – rules • Emphasizes the person who is acting • Inquires whether the person is expressing good character The question is… • Not: What should I do? • But rather: What sort of person should I be? How do I build good character? What is character? • The Sum of All Our Traits (virtues & vices) • Virtues are Character traits which… • Enable us to act well habitually • Require the right kind of inner attitude & motivation • Cannot be detected from the outside Moral Character is the first essential in a man. ~George Washington How do we acquire virtue? • Practical wisdom – Comes from observing human affairs carefully – Comes from remembering how our actions & the actions of others have played out • The more we develop a virtuous character & acquire practical wisdom – The greater chance we will act well in life • Good actions from from good character • Good character is essential to human happiness Aristotle and Virtue Theory The Golden Mean The ratio of the following distances is the Golden Ratio: (foot to navel) : (navel to head) Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics • Seeks to develop individual character • Assumes good persons will make good decisions • Be a ‘good’ person Aristotle &Happiness • Happiness = eudaimonia • Happiness is not a result or end • Happiness is not something we look forward to after toil and suffering • Happiness is a way of life, made possible by virtuous living • Happiness is an activity of the soul in accord with perfect virtue. Virtue &Habit • For Aristotle, virtue is something that is practiced and thereby learned—it is habit (hexis). • This has clear implications for moral education, for Aristotle obviously thinks that you can teach people to be virtuous. • Role models become very important Virtue As the Golden Mean • Aristotle says virtue involves finding the proper balance between two extremes. – Excess: having too much of something. – Deficiency: having too little of something. • Not mediocrity, but harmony and balance. • The Mean varies from person to person • There are many ways of behaving & thus many ways to be happy A Virtuous Life Means Balance Take one of the cardinal virtues away, then one happens? At school? • Competence • Teamwork • Social justice • Mellowness of heart Examples Emotion: fear • Vice-deficiency = rashness • Vice-excess=cowardice • Virtue-mean=courage Action: giving money • Vice-deficiency=stinginess • Vice-excess=prodigality • Virtue-mean=generosity The Greek’s 4 Cardinal Virtues Courage and Temperance 2 that regulate emotion: Justice: giving each their fair due Prudence: knowledge of one’s good or purpose (telos) knowledge of precise ethics